President’s full name: Stephen Grover Cleveland Birth/Death: March 18, 1837 - June 24, 1908 Political party of the president: Democratic Dates of the term or terms of office: Term 1: 3/4/1885 - 3/3/1889 Term 2: 1893–1897 Vice President by term: Term 1: Thomas Hendrick Term 2: Adalai Stevenson
Theme: Environment
American expansion into the west was known to be a new frontier. For farmers, this saying had different implications. Farmers were constantly facing troubles as they tried to combat Mother Nature and produce a respectable crop. In the beginning years of Grover Cleveland's presidency a drought struck farmers, leaving them in desperate straits. Seeking help from the government the Congress was presented a bill requesting the appropriation of $10,000 for the distribution of seed. Cleveland vetoed this bill, stating that to not would weaken the moral character of the people and create a precedent of eating out of father government's hand. With this decision farmers were left to struggle in an economy already stacked against them for a decent crop.
A second impact upon the environment during the presidency of Cleveland rested on the investigation of western lands delegated for railroads. Cleveland ordered an investigation of the lands that had previously been given to railroads for possible use in construction, angering the railroad companies. The investigation uncovered 81,000,000 acres of land not being used for its original purpose. This land was reclaimed by the government to be sold or set aside for public use. Some of this land would eventually be set aside for national parks and reserves that remain under protection today.
Analysis:
"It is the duty of those serving the people in public place to closely limit public expenditures to the actual needs of the Government...because public extravagance begets extravagance among the people." Little did Grover Cleveland know that in his history making second term he would be faced with an economic panic that would bring those words true meaning. Grover Cleveland served as president during the era of forgettable presidents, but is anything but. Though presented with labor problems and the calls for imperialism, Grover Cleveland stood his ground and protected the American people over the heads of businesses. Such amiable actions reward Cleveland an A.
It is said that a man is only worth his word. If tat is true, then Grover Cleveland is surely a man. In his inaugural address, he made many promises. One such promise was frugality with the people's money. This was upheld, against the protest of railroads, with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, which stated that an interstate commerce commission would regulate railroad prices. The effect of this, was to end the ever present greedy corruption that had been robbing shippers and consumers for a decade. Along the same lines, Cleveland had promised to relieve unnecessary taxation of the people with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff, drastically reducing the tariff. Though creating income tax, it only effected 5% of Americans who made over $4000 a year. Cleveland also kept his promise of neutrality by standing firmly against the annexation of Hawaii. Because of his stance, Hawaii was not annexed until Mckinley's presidency, thirteen years later. Truly a man of principle, Grover Cleveland kept his word.
As set out by the Constitution, the executive branch of government acted as a balance for the legislative branch. Grover Cleveland took the stance of balance on the powers of Congressional decisions, vetoing many bills that did not benefit the people. Many bills such as those seeking to grant pensions to Civil War veterans were vetoed due to fraudulence, or in the case of businesses, bias leading to unnecessary spending of public money. Cleveland overall was bipartisan, and tried to see both side of the argument. A reflection of that appears in the highly balanced congress throughout three of his four congressional terms. The final congressional term of his presidency; however, was mostly Republican due to public dislike of his deal with JP Morgan in which JP Morgan loaned the government gold in order to keep the gold standard. For the most part, Cleveland had a great report with Congress because of his ability to stick up for the needs of the people over businesses.
Cleveland had many positive effects on the nation, but above all stands his handling of the railroad companies. As the gate to the west, railroads held much power. Cleveland did a great job or stripping the corrupt railroads of much of this with his investigation of railroad lands leading to the relinquishing of 81,000,000 acres of land back to the government, and the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Both left lasting positive effects, such as land for reserves and a fairer treatment of consumers and shippers.
By contrast Cleveland's most negative outcome from his presidency was his deal with JP Morgan. Though effective in keeping the gold standard, his deal has left scars on the country that still sting today in the form of our current debt crisis. Cleveland's deal with Morgan also gave Morgan the power to later create his corrupt oil company.
Despite the remaining affects of Cleveland's deal with JP Morgan, the decision that influenced the future of the country the most was the Wilson-Gorman Tariff. The creation of the bill was originally meant to merely lower the tariffs, but instead income tax was also added on. Anyone age 18 or older who works knows how income tax has remained a plague on the country. The restarting of the income tax, which was only meant to last during the Civil War, has led to the spreading of the tax to all workers in America. Though a great revenue method, income tax has led to unneeded spending of the people's money by the government. Something that would make Grover Cleveland roll over in his grave.
In short, Grover Cleveland was a great president. Despite some minor bumps in the road such as his deal with JP Morgan and the unintentional income tax that was tacked onto the Wilson-Gorman Tariff, Cleveland holds a spotless record. Cleveland acted as a balance to Congress, preventing unwarranted delegation of the people's money to already wealthy businesses and frauds. He also kept the idea of neutrality alive with his strong opposition to annexing Hawaii. With such an outstanding record, Grover Cleveland clearly is a man of his word, deserving of an A.
Office of the Clerk. "Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Party Divisions." Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Art & History Home. House of Representatives, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://artandhistory.house.gov/house_history/partyDiv.aspx>.
Stein, Norman. "1894 Income Tax and the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act: Major Acts of Congress." eNotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More.. eNotes, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. <http://www.enotes.com
Birth/Death: March 18, 1837 - June 24, 1908
Political party of the president: Democratic
Dates of the term or terms of office: Term 1: 3/4/1885 - 3/3/1889
Term 2: 1893–1897
Vice President by term: Term 1: Thomas Hendrick
Term 2: Adalai Stevenson
Theme: Environment
American expansion into the west was known to be a new frontier. For farmers, this saying had different implications. Farmers were constantly facing troubles as they tried to combat Mother Nature and produce a respectable crop. In the beginning years of Grover Cleveland's presidency a drought struck farmers, leaving them in desperate straits. Seeking help from the government the Congress was presented a bill requesting the appropriation of $10,000 for the distribution of seed. Cleveland vetoed this bill, stating that to not would weaken the moral character of the people and create a precedent of eating out of father government's hand. With this decision farmers were left to struggle in an economy already stacked against them for a decent crop.A second impact upon the environment during the presidency of Cleveland rested on the investigation of western lands delegated for railroads. Cleveland ordered an investigation of the lands that had previously been given to railroads for possible use in construction, angering the railroad companies. The investigation uncovered 81,000,000 acres of land not being used for its original purpose. This land was reclaimed by the government to be sold or set aside for public use. Some of this land would eventually be set aside for national parks and reserves that remain under protection today.
Analysis:
"It is the duty of those serving the people in public place to closely limit public expenditures to the actual needs of the Government...because public extravagance begets extravagance among the people." Little did Grover Cleveland know that in his history making second term he would be faced with an economic panic that would bring those words true meaning. Grover Cleveland served as president during the era of forgettable presidents, but is anything but. Though presented with labor problems and the calls for imperialism, Grover Cleveland stood his ground and protected the American people over the heads of businesses. Such amiable actions reward Cleveland an A.
It is said that a man is only worth his word. If tat is true, then Grover Cleveland is surely a man. In his inaugural address, he made many promises. One such promise was frugality with the people's money. This was upheld, against the protest of railroads, with the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, which stated that an interstate commerce commission would regulate railroad prices. The effect of this, was to end the ever present greedy corruption that had been robbing shippers and consumers for a decade. Along the same lines, Cleveland had promised to relieve unnecessary taxation of the people with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff, drastically reducing the tariff. Though creating income tax, it only effected 5% of Americans who made over $4000 a year. Cleveland also kept his promise of neutrality by standing firmly against the annexation of Hawaii. Because of his stance, Hawaii was not annexed until Mckinley's presidency, thirteen years later. Truly a man of principle, Grover Cleveland kept his word.
As set out by the Constitution, the executive branch of government acted as a balance for the legislative branch. Grover Cleveland took the stance of balance on the powers of Congressional decisions, vetoing many bills that did not benefit the people. Many bills such as those seeking to grant pensions to Civil War veterans were vetoed due to fraudulence, or in the case of businesses, bias leading to unnecessary spending of public money. Cleveland overall was bipartisan, and tried to see both side of the argument. A reflection of that appears in the highly balanced congress throughout three of his four congressional terms. The final congressional term of his presidency; however, was mostly Republican due to public dislike of his deal with JP Morgan in which JP Morgan loaned the government gold in order to keep the gold standard. For the most part, Cleveland had a great report with Congress because of his ability to stick up for the needs of the people over businesses.
Cleveland had many positive effects on the nation, but above all stands his handling of the railroad companies. As the gate to the west, railroads held much power. Cleveland did a great job or stripping the corrupt railroads of much of this with his investigation of railroad lands leading to the relinquishing of 81,000,000 acres of land back to the government, and the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Both left lasting positive effects, such as land for reserves and a fairer treatment of consumers and shippers.
By contrast Cleveland's most negative outcome from his presidency was his deal with JP Morgan. Though effective in keeping the gold standard, his deal has left scars on the country that still sting today in the form of our current debt crisis. Cleveland's deal with Morgan also gave Morgan the power to later create his corrupt oil company.
Despite the remaining affects of Cleveland's deal with JP Morgan, the decision that influenced the future of the country the most was the Wilson-Gorman Tariff. The creation of the bill was originally meant to merely lower the tariffs, but instead income tax was also added on. Anyone age 18 or older who works knows how income tax has remained a plague on the country. The restarting of the income tax, which was only meant to last during the Civil War, has led to the spreading of the tax to all workers in America. Though a great revenue method, income tax has led to unneeded spending of the people's money by the government. Something that would make Grover Cleveland roll over in his grave.
In short, Grover Cleveland was a great president. Despite some minor bumps in the road such as his deal with JP Morgan and the unintentional income tax that was tacked onto the Wilson-Gorman Tariff, Cleveland holds a spotless record. Cleveland acted as a balance to Congress, preventing unwarranted delegation of the people's money to already wealthy businesses and frauds. He also kept the idea of neutrality alive with his strong opposition to annexing Hawaii. With such an outstanding record, Grover Cleveland clearly is a man of his word, deserving of an A.
Bibliography:
"American President: Grover Cleveland: Domestic Affairs." Miller Center. Miller Center, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. <http://millercenter.org/president/cleveland/essays/biography/4>.
"First Inaugural Address." American Presidents: Life Portraits. CSPAN, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <www.americanpresidents.org/inaugural/22a.asp>.
"Grover Cleveland | The White House." The White House. U.S. Government, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/grovercleveland22>.
Office of the Clerk. "Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Party Divisions." Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Art & History Home. House of Representatives, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://artandhistory.house.gov/house_history/partyDiv.aspx>.
Stein, Norman. "1894 Income Tax and the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act: Major Acts of Congress." eNotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More.. eNotes, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. <http://www.enotes.com
"U.S. Senate: Art & History Home > Origins & Development > Party Division." U.S. Senate. Senate, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/one_item_and_teasers/partydiv.htm>.